How should Brock Mealer lead the team onto the field for the UCONN opener?
After watching some videos of Brock's physical therapy sessions and seeing him work with Barwis, I can see that Brock is making huge progress in his rehabilitation and I would not be surprised at all if he regains his ability to walk.
I know the plan is to have Brock lead our team onto the field for the UCONN opener. And at the rate that he is progressing I have a feeling that he will actually get to *walk* us onto the field (albeit, maybe gingerly). If so, this will no doubt be a truly special moment and get the crowd fired up like never before.
I keep imagining different scenarios on how this will take place and what would produce the most dramatic effect that will no doubt bring joy, tears, goosebumps, and inspiration to everyone watching -- I'm certain that this will happen no matter what he does at the opener as he has already become an inspiration to so many within the U-M community.
Here is my idea to produce maximum dramatic effect:
I'd like to see Brock start out by using his crutches to walk partway up the field. In watching his rehab videos, he gets around OK on his crutches and leg brace. Maybe Barwis can shadow him up the field just in case he needs some assistance. At this point, I can see the fans going crazy, but nothing compared to what happens next. When he gets partway up the field I'd like to see him ditch his crutches, throw them to the ground, and start walking on his own without crutches (but keep his leg brace and have Barwis continue to shadow him, if needed). At this point I want to see the football team make their appearance, sprinting across the field in two lines with Brock in between and have them greet Brock as he arrives at midfield. I haven't thought too much about what would happen next. He'll probably be exhausted at that point, so someone could drive him around in one of those football injury carts as he does a "Victory" lap around the field.
This is how I'm envisioning the start to the UCONN opener. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I firmly believe its possible.
No matter what Brock does, though, it will certainly be a memorable moment.
April 27th, 2010 at 11:52 AM ^
Am I the only one who finds this weird?
April 27th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
You're not alone. I was expecting the "slow clap" to come up somewhere in the middle.
He should do something like this then
The crowd would go WILD!
No.
There's something odd about turning a kid who's recovering from near-paralysis and the loss of his parents into a scene from a cliched movie of the week.
April 27th, 2010 at 11:52 AM ^
you cheapen it.
He should walk out, elbow locked with his brother and the captains at the front of the line, and, for just one game, instead of running out of the tunnel, the team will follow intently and solidly behind him.
The banner will be held about two feet lower than normal so everyone can touch it without jumping.
April 27th, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^
Maybe his goal is to be able to jump and touchthebanner.blogspot.com
April 27th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^
I'm pretty sure him jumping wouldn't get on there.
April 27th, 2010 at 11:59 AM ^
All I know is there should be some phazer cannons involved.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
WHO WANTS A FREE T-SHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT
April 27th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
Helicopters drop a giant pizza crust over the the seating section, brock comes out with a giant sauce cannon and sauces the whole place while the team launches cheese and toppings across the masses. Then the sun reflects off the luxury boxes to cook it and the masses get fed. For free.
How's that for PIZZA?
I think what blazefire wrote is perfect.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
The team, the team, the team...
Spoken like a true Michigan Man, Blazefire. Kudos and +1
April 27th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
That sounds pretty cool to me, it would make it very special/different from the usual and highlight what is going on.
the only thing I would add would be some crowd participation in that the stadium could honor those passed with a moment of silence prior to leaving the tunnel, then respect him with applause until he gets to the banner and then go crazy as he goes through.
April 27th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
Thanks for this super cool idea.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^
His complete rehabilitation is the most important issue here.
Everything else is superfluous.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
No need to make it into a Styx concert.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:21 PM ^
could play Blue Collar Man as he walks in. It sorta fits.
...add Ted Nugent for a mini-Damn Yankees reunion. Just no playing of any of their god-awful songs.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^
Actually, a Styx concert at a Michigan game would be more or less the greatest thing ever.
if they close with Babe.
No way. Renegade is the ultimate Styx encore song.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^
Brock should be riding a unicorn. Lock the thread.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
Charrrrrrrrrlieeeeeeeeeee
April 27th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
Funny, I was just thinking about this last night as well. Whatever happens, it will be a wonderful moment. That said, my thought was Brock leading the way slowly with his brother at his side. The rest of the team follows out walking behind him, arm in arm (or hand in hand), in lines of say, five-seven guys. The banner is lowered so everyone can touch it. I think the solemnity of the entire team walking, rather than running, onto the field, with Brock and Elliot leading the way, would just be amazing.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
About who composes the soundtrack? I think the Main Title belongs to Kenny Loggins, but the Love Theme has to be a duet, possibly between Lady Gaga and George Michael.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^
for making me think of Lady Gaga's face
April 27th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
At least it's not her junk..................
April 27th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
... DAMMIT!
April 27th, 2010 at 12:21 PM ^
I was channeling those really bad soundtrack duets from the '80s. I wracked my brain trying to come up with a ridiculous combo like they did back then. LG and GM seemed to fit the bill.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^
lock the thread
April 27th, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
I see what you mean now. I just wasn't trying hard enough.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
it's supposed to be a mashup of two artists from different times collaborating on a unique effort
michael jackson/tupac remake of "Imagine"
lock the thread
April 27th, 2010 at 12:44 PM ^
So Kid Rock gets together with Nina Simone and they do a remake of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" set to blue grass? That sort of thing?
April 27th, 2010 at 12:57 PM ^
"Puff the Magic Dragon" might be more appropriate but yes. you're onto it my son.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:14 PM ^
Stop watching the Lifetime Channel.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
under her nightie?
April 27th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
Awesome.
Edit: There we go. Einhorn. Perfect.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:32 PM ^
Your gun is digging into my hip.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^
If you mean the girl in BBB's avatar, those are called breasts. Someday you'll touch some little buddy! ;)
April 27th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
one Mr. Stephen Lynch.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:21 PM ^
...there will not be a dry eye in The Big House. I'll have to bring my All In For Michigan towel just for this purpose.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:41 PM ^
Anyway he wants. Good Luck Brock!
But you did it first. Thank you.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:46 PM ^
Lord Of The Dance
A-fiddledy-fiddledy-fiddledy-fiddledy
Any way we can work Nickelback playing at midfield, in jorts, into this little fantasy?
automatic +1 for any use of "jorts"
with the MMB was serious. Now you've gone and just killed it.